On July 25, 2005, Microsoft released its Virtual Earth Beta as a direct competitor to the beta version of Google Earth. Unlike Google Earth, whose files you need to download to your PC before you can use it (the data you request is then superprocessed at Google and returned to you via your browser), Virtual Earth runs entirely on Microsoft's server via your browser.
Until the final versions of the Microsoft and Google products are available, the question is, who built a better beta? For ease of use and planning trips within the United States, Microsoft has an edge over Google. But Microsoft can't compete with Google's awesome, signature satellite imagery features and expanded Earth coverage, so we have to give the nod to Google.
Upside
If you have a Wi-Fi card in your computer, you may find Virtual Earth's Locate Me feature particularly useful. Click the Locate Me button, and, once you enable ActiveX on your browser and download the Location Finder application, Virtual Earth shows your current location (sometimes as close as 15 meters) based on the nearest Wi-Fi access points. If you don't have a Wi-Fi card, the Locate Me function is less useful; Virtual Earth instead uses your IP address to display the city or county you're in, which may be too general if you're trying to find nearby restaurants and hotels.
Many users will enjoy the multiple search capabilities of Virtual Earth, something particularly useful to travellers. For example, if you're in Boston and you know that you want to grab lunch at an Au Bon Pain, then pick up a prescription at the nearest Walgreens, you can concurrently view the locations of each of these business chains, see their proximity to each other, and find the two nearest your current location. Searches on Virtual Earth create a virtual concierge service for the traveller and are more robust and accurate than Google Earth's comparable Layers feature.
Within the left-hand navigation on Virtual Earth, you can search for data in a What box (restaurants, museums, and so on) and a Where box (cities, states). In January 2006, Microsoft plans to add interactive user content (so that you can annotate your favourite restaurants for others to read) as well as location-specific weather and traffic data. A slider bar makes it easy to zoom in and out of maps, while the Permalink, Scratch Pad and Community options let you save, e-mail, and post data to an MSN Spaces blog.
Since it's browser-driven, Virtual Earth works on both Macs and PCs. We tested it on Windows XP using Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox, and it worked equally well on both browsers.
Microsoft plans to provide Virtual Earth for free. Since the company will support the feature with advertising and branding opportunities for businesses, it may become fairly ad-laden in the future--but then, so could the free version of Google Earth. In early September, Microsoft released to developers new application programming interfaces (APIs) to encourage commercial expansion of Virtual Earth's local search capabilities.
Downside
Because it doesn't rely on a superprocessor, Virtual Earth lacks a counterpart to Google Earth's fun Fly To option, which takes you on a colourful aerial tour from one point to another. Microsoft plans to add 45-degree angle images (a feature of Google Earth not available in Virtual Earth) via a license with Pictometry International Corporation, but it's not yet available. Virtual Earth's aerial imagery, with topography supplied by the U.S. Geological Survey and satellite imagery from Blue Marble, loads slower than Google's, and sometimes chunks of images are blurry or just plain missing (sections of the San Francisco Bay were blank on our test machine). Switching to the Road Map option provides a much crisper visual than the aerial view, but Virtual Earth covers only the United States. While Microsoft says that some Canadian cities are also covered by Virtual Earth, in this beta we could not view Quebec, Calgary or Vancouver.
Outlook
If you're traveling in the States, Virtual Earth's multiple search capabilities and Road Map features can be particularly useful. The aerial portion of Virtual Earth, however, is clearly still under construction. Despite promises of Pictometry, Google Earth will probably remain the best choice for users who want to zoom in and out of aerial views. Travellers looking for local maps, driving routes, and businesses will like Virtual Earth, but students and casual browsers will prefer Google Earth.
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JJ
15/03/2008, 07:14 PM
rating
5/10
Virtual MSN SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am really disappointed with this new upgrade. I actually thought msn have the technology to build a more vast msn world. Where people can not only chat with friends, but also express their creativity. MSN is Known globally, but why not allow it to be more enjoyable?
HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS:
-allow ppl to create their own blog/community chat; where they can invite friends.
-build/design their own house, apartment or environment. This will work so well with MSN members) even for ppl who are friends with others over seas. This ability gives them the chance to connect more on a virtual level than just typing.
- Invent Parks, Movie Theaters, this way they can share their own downloaded movies with each other/ while they engaged in an related conversation.
I just feel that MSN need to be upgraded to a software that will not only caught the eyes of the true MSN lovers, but also compete with the other virtual competitors.
Pros: I like the fact that MSN employees are thinking
Cons: This feature is for ppl who have business related matters
- This is also giving predators a easier way when locating a pray
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aamir_@msn.com
08/01/2007, 05:16 AM
rating
5/10
good. i have to check
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cheromen
11/09/2006, 09:54 AM
rating
7/10
very good, very good
very good, very good
Pros: very good
Cons: very good
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18/10/2005, 11:16 PM
Just the Facts
the Only thing that caught my eye is the wireless locate me button . this will help Travelers Especially if your a business man/and or women , downside is the images of course as it was said in the aritcle but in time things do change and get better. keep up the good work .
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